I have known pastors, missionaries, and Bible school students who argue that since they devote their whole life to serving the Lord, they are not obligated to give financially to the Lord’s work. Paul says just the opposite is true (vv. 7-8). If you are gifted from God, you ought to want to give …
The word command means a military order. Some of the Christian soldiers in the church at Thessalonica were breaking rank and disobeying orders, and Paul had to admonish them. We find disorderly conduct (v. 6) and busybodies (v. 11) in the Thessalonian Church and Paul deals with t …
In chapters 11 through 20, Jeremiah’s problems are brought to light. These challenges are a result of his faithfulness to the prophetic message. God gives two basic commands regarding His covenant. First is to hear, and second it to speak (v. 2). The word hear is used six ti …
Her second advance against the Benjamites was again fiercely checked as 18,000 of her warriors lay dead on the field of battle (vv. 24-25). Perhaps one reason the Lord permitted Israel to have these initial defeats was to bring then to a point of repentance. Now fasting and the offering of …
In the 32nd chapter of Jeremiah’s prophecy we find that what got him thrown in jail was his insistence that Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, would conquer Jerusalem. Jerusalem’s king Zedekiah didn’t like that! While in prison, Jeremiah’s cousin, Hanameel o …
Jesus was led off to the high priest and all the other leaders (v. 53). Peter followed at a distance and sat down beside a fire with the guards (v. 54). Jesus knew what it was like to be falsely accused (vv 55-59). The Sanhedrin had seventy-one members which included the Sadducee …
Chapters 26 and 27 are a prophesy against Tyre, the capital of Phoenicia just north of Israel. Part of the city was on the coastline, and part was on a beautiful island. The sin of Tyre is cited in this passage (vv. 1-6). The eleventh year (v. 1) is in reference to the re …
Four crimes are stated that required the death penalty (vv. 12-17):1. Premeditated Murder (vv. 12- 14) – It is clearly stated here that to take the life of a murder is not the violation of “Thou shalt no kill” but was clearly commanded by God.2. Physical viole …
This part of Chapter 14 is a preview leading up to the 2nd coming of Christ. This actual event we will study in chapter 19. We see the coming judgment on a Christ rejecting world (v. 14). “And in His hand a sharp sickle.†This is a harvesting tool used by ancient farmers to cut grain. It represents …
Paul is this Ephesian passage is telling servants to be obedient because they are really serving Christ and because doing a good job is the will of God (vv. 5-7). Slaves played a significant part in this society. There were probably over 6 million slaves in the Roman Empire in th …